I've just finished reading the Bill Monroe biography Can't You Hear Me Callin' (as recommended on this board). A great read even if my copy didn't have page 115 (did I miss anything?)!
Now I'm wondering what other good books about bluegrass there are. I am particuarly interested in finding out more about the history of the music and its musicians. Anybody got any recommendations?
The definitive book on the subject: Neil Rosenberg, "Bluegrass: A History." Available wherever good books are sold. (My copy is so worn out I really should get a new one.)
There is also a shorter book by the same guy who wrote the Monroe bio, Richard Smith. It's just called "Bluegrass" iirc. A nice overview.
Then there are various books about the Carter family, Ralph Stanley, and others. There's a book called "The Bill Monroe Reader" edited by Tom Ewing, quite nice. There's a nice little book about Jimmy Martin by Tom Piazza, quite funny.
That should get you started. The Monroe bio is, by the way, one of the better books I've read, and an excellent biography.
Mark
J. Mark Lane
Stanley #10 F5
Pomeroy #72 F4
Brian Dean #30 Bowlback
I have one called The Big Book of Bluegrass. I don't know if it's still available, but was , i beleive put together from Frets Magazine articles. Don
I been through the mountians on a mule with no name.
Ditto to ALL the above material!! - Short story : Several(!) years ago I attended an Osborne Brothers show ; Sonny was at the mike and he said "...we are priviliged to have one of the best friends Bluegrass Music has ever had.. ; Neil Rosenberg would you please stand up so we can acknowledge you" - (And he did).
Not in this country it won't beOriginally Posted by (J. Mark Lane @ Nov. 24 2004, 09:30)
In England, bluegrass books come from online stores and that's about it, which is why I need recommendations.
The only thing my local Borders has is one copy a month of Bluegrass Unlimited and some Alison Krauss CDs filed under "A".
Thanks for all the ideas so far, keep 'em coming!
I will recommend one other book which has a lot of interesting Bill Monroe stuff in it and a lot about the author: What I Know About what I Know, by Butch Robins. You can buy it from him at his website Butch RobinsButch Robins
This is Butch Robins autobiography and it focuses a lot on Monroe and bluegrass from the 60s on. He also gives his take on the music.
MIke Keyes
adgefan : Santa oughta' bring you a years subscription to Bluegrass Unlimited... - for your dedication and interest!! - mmmmm...., Alison Krauss under "A"....##!!? - Must be tough to find "good help" over there! - Don't give up! -
Look here:Not in this country it won't be
In England, bluegrass books come from online stores and that's about it, which is why I need recommendations.
The only thing my local Borders has is one copy a month of Bluegrass Unlimited and some Alison Krauss CDs filed under "A".
Thanks for all the ideas so far, keep 'em coming!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec....9556458
In case the link doesn't work, that's the Rosenberg book available at amazon.uk. Online is the only way I buy books.
Mark
J. Mark Lane
Stanley #10 F5
Pomeroy #72 F4
Brian Dean #30 Bowlback
"Bluegrass: A History" is not available here (in France), but I ordered here, with the "usual cd's"
http://www.countysales.com/
My sister lives in France, and I give her amazon.uk gift certificates and she cashes them in no problem. (There is of course an amazon.fr, too. She can read French, but I can't. So I just order for her through the UK site. With the EU, it's all one, right?) Shipping and tax are no problem doing it that way.
Still, I'd rather see people order from County Sales anyway.
Mark
J. Mark Lane
Stanley #10 F5
Pomeroy #72 F4
Brian Dean #30 Bowlback
It's the best page. It's about music. It explainsI've just finished reading the Bill Monroe biography Can't You Hear Me Callin' (as recommended on this board
that several important traits of Monroe's music
developed after Flatt and Scruggs left the group,
especially during the years Jimmy Martin was with
him.
Monroe's girlfriends are fully accounted for in the remaining
pages. I find the book gossipy in places, to say the least.
"Can't you hear me callin' " is gossipy no doubt. All that stuff about the 'Georgia Rose' being a secret love child of BM and Bessie seems just like a literary hook throughout the book, all to no real conclusion. I mean if she was Bill's daughter don't you think she would have surfaced by now like Hank Williams daughter did. Smith offers no proof and just throws it out there like a bone.
On the other hand. I think it may give some insite to many things about Bill Monroe but you better read it questioning it at many points.
The best book is by far Neil Rosenburgs book 'bluegrass a history'. Tom Ewings book is good and authoritative about BM, largely because of the editors notes etc.
Neil emphasizes the "a"; it's not *the* history.
I suggested to him it might be subtitled "Bluegrass
goes to town"; the transition from a regional music
to a more universal artform seems to be a connecting
theme in his book. This is highlighted in his
detailed account of the Osbornes' first college
concert at Oberlin.
When I visited the US in 1969 I thought BG music was a thing
of the past. Rosenberg's book makes it clear that an
important phase in BG history was happening right there
and then, in the early days of the festival movement.
Another scholarly history no one has mentioned is Robert Cantwell's Bluegrass Breakdown: The Making of the Old Southern Sound (Univ. of Illinois, 1984). Sometimes a little too scholarly for my tastes, but good just the same.
I like the gossip in some of the books, and the stories in the Monroe book helped me understand a lot of things I suspected from observation but never really knew. Even Jimmy Martin stories don't make me think less of him, but just help me understand him better (after I stop laughing).
The Butch Robins book is the best new one I've read. If you don't get it from Butch, I have a couple signed copies for sale. I considered listing in the classifieds, but decided not to (lots of Monroe but no real mandolin content), but I've seen other shameless plugs here, so for once I will say that you might find a copy at www.rare-books.com.
Doesn't he also go on to say that the "Georgia Rose" died sometime back? I don't have my copy of the book in front of me, but I think that's in there.
Another good - although far too short considering the "subject" - is "True Life Adventures with the King of Bluegrass" - I go back to it when I need "motivation" - and inspiration..., and laugh - and cry - again! Like Monroe..., they'll never be another like him. "Long Live the King" Just IMHO -
I think that's the page where Bill said he thought Chris Thile should be his heir apparent. You don't think Ricky tore that page out do you? #
GVD
GVD
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